Steamboat Springs High School golfer Scott Ptach sends the ball toward the green at Haymaker Golf Course in September 2008. Ptach will help lead the Sailors as Haymaker hosts the Class 3A and 4A regional high school golf tournament this year Sept. 21 and 22.

Haymaker to host regionals

High school event slated for Sept. 21 and 22

Sailors Shootout looking for entrants

The Sailors Golf Shootout benefit golf tournament is still looking for entrants for the Sept. 21 tournament at Catamount Ranch & Club. The tournament benefits all area youth golf programs with an emphasis on the Steamboat Springs High School team.

The format is a four-person modified best ball.

For more information or to sign up a team call Steve Dodson at 879-9045.

Steamboat Springs  Steamboat Springs High School coach Steve Dodson confirmed earlier this week that this year's Class 3A and 4A regional golf tournament will be held at Haymaker Golf Course.

The regional tournament will hold a practice round Sept. 21 with the actual tournament Sept. 22.

The Sailors also will host their regular season invitational Sept. 9.

"It's going to be jam-packed with high school golf tournaments," Dodson said about the month.

It will be the third time in eight years that Haymaker has hosted a top-notch high school golf tournament.

The course hosted the regional tournament in 2002 and the state tournament in 2007.

"I don't know who gets the credit," said Hank Franks, Haymaker's head golf professional. "I think the golf course gets the credit. We've been able to have a friendly environment. People want to come and they love the experience. The golf course is really the draw."

The Sailors regular season starts Aug. 10 with qualifying week. That week, players will be put through three days of qualifying, ranging from understanding of rules to their ability at the game.

With the regional tournament on a familiar course, and Steamboat returning varsity players Scott Ptach, Kaelen Gunderson and Alan Capistron, Dodson said the Sailors are poised for a strong showing.

"We're led by three guys this year," Dodson said. "We have high expectations for several kids to step up their game and move up to the varsity."

Steamboat's region is divided into north and south sections, with Interstate 70 being the dividing line.

With last year's regional tournament at Aspen, the site for this year's tournament came down to Haymaker and Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig.

Although Dodson was excited to have the tournament, he said playing the home course serves as a double-edged sword.

Sure players are familiar with the course, but that means higher expectations.

"I think it goes both ways," he said. "It can add to the pressure of doing well. Expectations are higher when you're familiar with the golf course. When you have family and friends watching, you expect to do well."